1. Communicating With Government Officials

2. Communicating with Elected Officials
is an indication of a good citizen
lets officials know how issues
affect you
increases your effectiveness as
an advocate for legislation or issues

3. Meet with your Government Officials local officials – you often know
take advantage of informal opportunities
local officials – you often know
them as friends or neighbors
state officials – they often live in or
near your community; many hold
public meetings or forums locally
federal officials – Senators or
Representatives; they often visit the
state on weekends or during
Congressional recess

4. Meet with your Government Officials prepare for the visit plan ahead
an organized meeting may be more effective
prepare for the visit
plan ahead
be respectful
do not stay too long
consider meeting with staff
have your photo taken

5. Write to your Government Officials be original
often the preferred method of
communication
be original
make it easy to receive a reply
be brief and to the point
remain issue focused
indicate who you are and your concerns
be sure the letter is readable
be polite

6. When sending letters remember:
Person addressed
Where to send letters
Salutation
Closing
President or
Vice President
of the
United States
The President (or
Vice President)
of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C
Dear Mr./Ms. President (or Vice President)
Sincerely yours,

7. When sending letters remember:
Person addressed
Where to send
letters
Salutation
Closing
U.S. Senator
The Honorable (first name and last name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.
20510
Dear Senator (last name)
Sincerely yours,
U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
Dear Representative (last name)

8. When sending letters remember:
Person addressed
Where to send letters
Salutation
Closing
State Governor
The Honorable (first name and last name)
700 Capital Avenue
Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601
Dear Governor (last name)
Sincerely yours,
State Lt. Governor
Suite 142
Dear Mr./Ms.(last name)

9. When sending letters remember:
Person addressed
Where to send letters
Salutation
Closing
State Senator
The Honorable (first name and last name)
State Capitol, (Room number)
Kentucky Senate
Frankfort, KY 40601
Dear Senator (last name)
Sincerely yours,
State Representative
Kentucky House of Representatives
Dear Representative (last name)

10. E-mail or Fax your Government Officials
and fax numbers located on
web page
most use web forms
direct address often used by
local officials, not state or federal
not all officials respond to
follow guidelines for letters
include legislation name and number
include your position on the issue
indicate if you are a voter in the
district
include your address

11. Kentucky Legislative Message Line
Telephone Your
Government Officials
will quickly verify your position
identify legislation by name and
number
listen as well as speak
send additional information
calls may be answered by staff
ask for a written response to your call
Kentucky Legislative Message Line

12. For More Information http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/home.htm

13. QUESTIONS References:
Bethel, Margaret and Moore, Beth (2005). Citizens’ guide for communicating with elected officials. Michigan State University Cooperative Extension.  
Communicating with elected officials. Pittsburgh: The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh. 
What does it mean to be a citizen in a democracy? Ohio Literacy Resource Center.
QUESTIONS
Connee Wheeler, BS, MS
Senior Extension Associate
October 2007
Copyright © 2007 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension.
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